JANUARY 16TH. - LOWESTOFT, SUFFOLK.

At 1.15 P.M. it was reported that a barge, disabled and burning distress flares, was driving towards the Newcome Sands.

A whole N.E. gale was blowing, with a very heavy sea. At 1.30 P.M. the motor life-boat Michael Stephens was launched. She crossed the Newcome Sands, continuously swept by heavy seas, and found the barge Britisher about two and a half miles out, drifting before the gale across the sands towards the S.E. Newcome Buoy. It was here that the life-boat had hoped to meet the barge and to rescue her crew. A tug, however, had also put out and had got the Britisher in tow, and the life-boat escorted them into harbour.

The barge had had all her canvas blown away and her small boat was waterlogged.

As she entered the harbour she struck the north pier, suffered further damage, and hadher small boat smashed. The life-boat returned to her station at 4.5 P.M. - Rewards, £15 4S. 6d..